Join us for a special weekend with Songwriter Michael Hunter Ochs!

KKBE is thrilled to welcome Michael as our Artist in Residence from December 4–7. He’ll join us for Shabbat evening services on Friday, and return for a free Havdalah Concert on Saturday, December 6 at 7:00pm.

Experience an intimate evening of music and storytelling as Michael shares his journey as a songwriter and his deep connection to Jewish music.

🎶 This event is free and open to the community — all are welcome!

Michael Hunter Ochs has quietly established himself as one of the most versatile songwriters in America today. His song “In Her Eyes” was recorded by international superstar Josh Groban. The soul-filled “On My Knees” was awarded Song Of The Year honors from both the Gospel Music Association (Dove Award) and the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and spent 14 weeks at #1. 

Michael’s music has been attached to numerous major motion pictures and television soundtracks including Downsizing (Matt Damon), The Terminal (Steven Spielberg), The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Trilogy, and The Simpsons. He frequently travels around the globe to write for various pop stars, and his songs have been recorded by international entertainers. Collectively his songs have appeared on albums with world-wide sales in excess of 20 million units. 

In addition to his success in contemporary popular music, Ochs is universally recognized as a breakthrough composer in Jewish worship music heard in synagogues around the world. Since 2000 he has been Composer in Residence at Congregation Micah in Nashville, TN and is often commissioned to write original compositions for various congregations throughout America. It follows that Michael has been honored with performances at the Center for Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE), London’s Leo Baeck Rabbinical College, the Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) Biennial, and The Jewish Museum of Berlin - to participate at the 70th Commemoration of Kristallnacht, to name a few.

In 2008, Michael received a remarkable invitation - to travel to the West Bank and collaborate with Alaa Ali Alshaham, an award winning Palestinian social activist and poet. In 2014, the two founded The Pursuit of Harmony. Since then, they have performed around the world, sharing their inspiring songs and recounting the story of their unexpected friendship. Their performances have touched the hearts of thousands, including members of the Nobel Committee, the Israeli Embassy, the Congressional Prayer Breakfast, and the United Nations.